Category: Reviews: Gigs
REVIEW: SLOW CLUB AT BATH MOLES (06/05/12)
Everybody knows the importance of stage presence. But whilst many bands see this as an invitation to preen; to tell ridiculous anecdotes or get mouthy with the crowd, Slow Club are so grounded it’s a miracle they don’t sink. Hailing from Sheffield: home of Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and a rather unfortunate history in steel, Slow [...]
REVIEW: RIZZLE KICKS + JOSH OSHO AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY (27/04/12)
Last time Rizzle performed in Cardiff the duo were performing a small PA set for Propaganda at Glams nightclub, now the Brighton boys are back in Cardiff at the sold out Great Hall. Since their last stint in Cardiff Rizzle Kicks have received astonishing chart success with both his singles ‘Down The Trumpets’ and ‘Mama [...]
REVIEW: PROFESSOR GREEN AT CARDIFF GREAT HALL (03/05/12)
Last time Professor Green performed in Cardiff he was fresh from the release of his debut album ‘Alive Till I’m Dead’, fast forward two years and the rapper from Hackney has received chart storming success with his second album and also a number one single with ‘Please Read All About it’. Now, Professor Green is [...]
REVIEW: SIMPLE THINGS FESTIVAL 2012
Simple Things festival was once again upon the city of Bristol on Sunday. Queues outside Start the Bus began around 2pm, with many eager to start their voyage across the various venues including Thekla, O2 Academy and The Fleece. The day kicked off with all girl alt-choir Gaggle at the O2 Academy. An instant feast [...]
REVIEW: DRY THE RIVER AT BRISTOL FLEECE (30/04/12)
Ever since Dry the River’s debut album ‘Shallow Bed’ made it’s way onto music store shelves, there’s been a mass hysteria about how big they’re going to be. Tonight, they’ll get the chance to prove themselves at The Fleece. Support tonight comes from Dancing Years and Tall Ships. The first reflect Dry the River’s folk [...]
REVIEW: LOST PROPHETS AT CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA (28/04/12)
Last time Welsh heroes Lost Prophets performed in Cardiff’s Motorpoint arena was two years ago, supporting the release of The Betrayed. Two years later and the charismatic leaders are back, performing to a sold out audience of a strong 10,000. Prophets have become known for being pioneers of live shows and have previously headlined arenas [...]
REVIEW: TRIBES AT THEKLA, BRISTOL (25/04/12)
London Calling’s playing and the kids are getting pretty restless. In their first couple of years bubbling under the radar Camden’s Tribes have created quite the fan base of loyal fans that hero-worship the ramshackle swagger of this four piece. The amble on and open with the luxurious ‘Whenever’ which has the crowd singing along [...]
REVIEW: NEWTON FAULKNER AT FALMOUTH PRINCESS PAVILION (23/04/12)
Ahead of his new EP release on May 20, Newton Faulkner came to Falmouth to kick off his Spring Tour. Due to overwhelming interest, his one date in Falmouth became two dates. Both sold out. Welcome back! The Jess Hall Band was first on stage. Melancholy and emotional, Jess’ vocals were a little reminiscent of [...]
REVIEW: PETE MURRAY AT FALMOUTH PRINCESS PAVILION (13/04/12)
After a short stint in The Netherlands, and just one other UK date, Australian musician Pete Murray came to the Princess Pavilion. Friday 13th in all honesty is possibly not the greatest of nights to contend with, and after Facebook posts highlighting the ‘super good surf spot’ that is Falmouth, it does make you question [...]
REVIEW: EXAMPLE AT CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA (20/04/12)
Three years after supporting Lily Allen in the same venue, Example returned to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff to headline an arena show for the very first time. If he was nervous about the occasion you couldn’t tell as he put in a confident and highly impressive performance in front of a packed crowd. An [...]
REVIEW: MAPS AND ATLASES AT BRISTOL COOLER (14/04/12)
Maps and Atlases’ set at The Cooler in Bristol was special for a number of reasons. The show was the first time they played in Bristol and was the first night of their UK and European Tour. The gig also marked the release of their second full length album, Beware and Be Grateful. Maps and [...]
REVIEW: EMELI SANDE AT CARDIFF SOLUS (13/04/12)
Emeli Sandé performed to a sold out Solus at Cardiff University’s Student Union. There was no need for her to worry about bad luck, however, as her soulful voice and recent hit records exhilarated the crowd. The show was opened by the supporting Seye (pronounced Cher or share). In all denim and with bigger hair [...]
REVIEW: …AND UPSTAIRS + NURSES AT THE CROFT, BRISTOL (27/03/12)
Playing one of their first shows outside of the Midlands, …and Upstairs, Nurse played songs from their 5 track EP and tried out two new songs to a crowd that became entranced by their unique rock styling. The three piece from Birmingham plays a blend of math-rock, folk and progressive with some jazz influences which, [...]
REVIEW: THE FELICE BROTHERS AT LONDON KOKO (20/03/12)
Apparently, Felice means ‘happy’ – so it comes as no surprise that The Felice Brothers’ gigs are one big merry, hoe-down (with brief, tender, melancholic interludes). This sold out Koko show was postponed from last year, when one of the New York troupe got shingles while on tour in Berlin (yeah, I didn’t realise people still got [...]
REVIEW: JLS AT CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA (20/03/12)
On arriving at Cardiff CIA one can only imagine what awaits inside. JLS of X Factor stardom shot straight into the limelight after smashing out two No.1 hits, picking up a couple of Brit’s and the same in Mobo Awards, they are now continuing there success by selling out stadium tours, tonight is part of [...]
REVIEW: YOU ME AT SIX AT THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF (23/03/12)
You Me at Six are no strangers to performing in Cardiff, having supported a variety of touring artists and headlined a variety of venues in the city on numerous of occasions. This was an occasion like no other for You Me At Six’s clan to claim the streets of Cardiff. Many fans could be found [...]
REVIEW: SPIRITUALIZED AT BRISTOL O2 ACADEMY (21/03/12)
Spiritualized were one of the many influential undercurrent of shoegaze bands from the 90s. They came offered a more blissed out, melodic alternative to the mass sonic drenching walls of noise from the likes of My Bloody Valentine or the cock’n’ballsyness of Primal Scream. They are one of those bands that may well go under [...]
REVIEW: MAD DOG MCREA AT FALMOUTH PRINCESS PAVILION (16/03/12)
A good cheese or fine wine are all said to improve with longevity. The same could be said about Celtic, folk rock, gypsy jazz rogues Mad Dog Mcrea. Not quite as smelly as a Stilton or as ripe as a Bordeaux, Mad Dog are most certainly as pungent and never seem to fail in turning [...]
REVIEW: THE MACCABEES AT CARDIFF GREAT HALL (17/03/12)
The Maccabees are currently at top of their game, having already been announced as headliners of the NME/Radio 1 stage at Leeds/Reading Festival and the latest release, Given to the Wild, reached number four in the UK charts. 2012 is proving to be one of the most successful years for this bands career. Devoted fans [...]
REVIEW: REIGNS + DEEJ DHARIWAL AT BRISTOL CROFT (08/03/12)
Deej Dhariwal is one-third of the expansive post rock noise mongers ‘Thought Forms’, armed with one hell of a pedal board. As his set tonight begins, it appears to bare the self conscious brunt of solo performance; wavering in and out of beautifully bleak moments, beneath the looming pressure and unpredictability that inevitably comes with [...]
